Rare Revival
An Original Theatre and Reading Rep Theatre Co-Production
The Importance of Being Oscar
BY MICHEáL MAC LIAMMóIR.
DIRECTED BY MICHAEL FENTIMAN.
28 March -
19 April 2025
19 April 2025
Overview
Life is far too important a thing ever to talk seriously about.
Oscar Wilde was a dandy of speech, a dandy of manner, a dandy of dress, and a dandy, even, of ideas and intellect. He fell in love with eccentric socialites, travelled to America with nothing to declare except his genius, and found worldwide success as a playwright. This is the story of how his life of fame, glamour, and romance led him to become an imprisoned outcast.
Following Being Mr Wickham, Original Theatre return to Jermyn Street Theatre, joined by co-producers Reading Rep Theatre, for the first London revival in over 25 years of Micheál MacLiammóir‘s legendary play.
People
Alastair Whatley
Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde
Alastair is an award-winning director, producer and actor. His work has taken him all over the world from London to New York via Dublin. He leads Original Theatre’s producing work and was awarded the Critics Circle Award for his outstanding contribution to British theatre during lockdown.
Micheál Mac Liammóir
Writer
Writer
Michael Fentiman
Director
Director
Media
“Captivating”
Broadway World
“Alastair Whateley commands the stage”
Theatre Weekly
“Alastair Whatley is truly magnificent as Wilde”
Theatre & Tonic
“Alastair Whatley honours his subject in a quietly powerful performance”
The Arts Desk
“A perfect evening.”
ReviewsGate
“The Importance of Being Oscar presents the irresistibly witty rise of Wilde, but also the scandalous injustice of his downfall.”
The Reviews Hub
“[Whatley's] performance is one of masterly restraint”
London Pub Theatre
“A whirlwind tour through the life of a literary icon”
A Young(ish) Perspective
“His Wilde is perfectly snooty”
The Upcoming